Obsessive newbie just back from NYC
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 2:51 pm
Hi, all!
I wanted to come out of lurkdom to thank you for all of the great advice on this board. I just got back from my NYC audition and I can guarantee reading this board helped tremendously.
I tried out a couple of years ago in Chicago, basically risking heat stroke in the ridiculous line, etc. I passed the test and got a quick interview, but that ended in tears and a POD three weeks later. I was never really sure why (are we ever?) but I chalked it up to being in the last group of the day and TPTB having already found a number of contestants from Chi that fit my profile. Who knows? I like to pretend it wasn't me.
This time (Thursday) I passed again, and now I'm obsessing a bit about my chances...
It seemed that about 10 of the 60-70 test-takers passed. A quick glance around the room suggested that all were MAWGs except for me. (I am a 30 y.o. mostly-white woman.) After a lightning-fast initial interview (I was one of the first to be interviewed), I was given a yellow consent form and asked to sit along the "yellow wall" and wait for a taped second interview. I waited as the other potential contestants spoke with the APs and all the rest were cordially dismissed. Why was I the only one to get the second interview? I can safely say I have no idea, except that I overheard one of the fellow passers say that he had been an accountant for 15 years, for fun, he did "community service," and with the million he would buy a bigger house. I can at least say that-- thanks to the advice I read here-- my application and answers were a little more "TV-friendly" than that...
I was then led through the catacombs by an eager PA to be taped. I chatted with him, basically trying to relax and "be myself," and keep in mind that we have no idea who has input into the process. I then got to the taped interview, which I feel went well... But honestly, I have no idea. (I thought that Chicago interview had gone well too, so who knows?)
Would anyone who has been interviewed on tape like to weigh in (whether or not you received a happy postcard)? What do you think makes a good taped interview?
Overall, I felt it went well. I had plenty of stories to tell (my husband is training for the Olympics, I was decked out in red, white and blue b/c I was on my way to a 4th party, etc.) I wasn't at all camera shy, and I even had what felt like a mini-conversation (as opposed to just question-answer) with the AP about the Hallmark Gold Crown club (I am a premier member because I send out about 100 cards a year for all kinds of occasions). She did ask about my J! appearance (8 years ago) and whether I remembered my FJ! questions (I did). I don't know if that helped or hurt (OOH, it may indicate I'll be comfortable on camera, OTOH, maybe they don't want too many J! people for a variety of reasons). I had plenty of energy-- I just tried not to talk too fast (a weakness). I definitely was at a loss for one question... Basically b/c she asked the same (or at least similar) question two different ways (Why do you want to be on?/What will be the best part about being on?) So I felt like I said "It'll be fun!" a lot, LOL... And I definitely said "like" a lot, but mostly managed to avoid "um."
I don't know what I'm asking... I guess whether that sounds like a good interview to you? I should note a couple of other things... I am from DC now, which is not WE, but is one of the places they will be doing a contestant search, so it hardly makes me unique. I was dressed fancy-ish on my way to that party... Not too fancy, but at least business casual-plus (and not too overtly red/white/blue-- it was a red dress, blue necklace and white sandals-- but still noticeable). Hopefully I didn't come off as trying too hard? And... FWIW, I think I had some other interesting stories in my app that weren't asked about (once finished last in the Chicago Marathon, etc.) I don't know how much they look at the app once they have a taped interview in the can.
But I guess I'm wondering if there is such a thing as too enthusiastic, too over-the-top, too (seemingly) "polished," trying too hard? And if I sound like I successfully toed the line. Or not.
Thanks again!
I wanted to come out of lurkdom to thank you for all of the great advice on this board. I just got back from my NYC audition and I can guarantee reading this board helped tremendously.
I tried out a couple of years ago in Chicago, basically risking heat stroke in the ridiculous line, etc. I passed the test and got a quick interview, but that ended in tears and a POD three weeks later. I was never really sure why (are we ever?) but I chalked it up to being in the last group of the day and TPTB having already found a number of contestants from Chi that fit my profile. Who knows? I like to pretend it wasn't me.
This time (Thursday) I passed again, and now I'm obsessing a bit about my chances...
It seemed that about 10 of the 60-70 test-takers passed. A quick glance around the room suggested that all were MAWGs except for me. (I am a 30 y.o. mostly-white woman.) After a lightning-fast initial interview (I was one of the first to be interviewed), I was given a yellow consent form and asked to sit along the "yellow wall" and wait for a taped second interview. I waited as the other potential contestants spoke with the APs and all the rest were cordially dismissed. Why was I the only one to get the second interview? I can safely say I have no idea, except that I overheard one of the fellow passers say that he had been an accountant for 15 years, for fun, he did "community service," and with the million he would buy a bigger house. I can at least say that-- thanks to the advice I read here-- my application and answers were a little more "TV-friendly" than that...
I was then led through the catacombs by an eager PA to be taped. I chatted with him, basically trying to relax and "be myself," and keep in mind that we have no idea who has input into the process. I then got to the taped interview, which I feel went well... But honestly, I have no idea. (I thought that Chicago interview had gone well too, so who knows?)
Would anyone who has been interviewed on tape like to weigh in (whether or not you received a happy postcard)? What do you think makes a good taped interview?
Overall, I felt it went well. I had plenty of stories to tell (my husband is training for the Olympics, I was decked out in red, white and blue b/c I was on my way to a 4th party, etc.) I wasn't at all camera shy, and I even had what felt like a mini-conversation (as opposed to just question-answer) with the AP about the Hallmark Gold Crown club (I am a premier member because I send out about 100 cards a year for all kinds of occasions). She did ask about my J! appearance (8 years ago) and whether I remembered my FJ! questions (I did). I don't know if that helped or hurt (OOH, it may indicate I'll be comfortable on camera, OTOH, maybe they don't want too many J! people for a variety of reasons). I had plenty of energy-- I just tried not to talk too fast (a weakness). I definitely was at a loss for one question... Basically b/c she asked the same (or at least similar) question two different ways (Why do you want to be on?/What will be the best part about being on?) So I felt like I said "It'll be fun!" a lot, LOL... And I definitely said "like" a lot, but mostly managed to avoid "um."
I don't know what I'm asking...
I guess whether that sounds like a good interview to you? I should note a couple of other things... I am from DC now, which is not WE, but is one of the places they will be doing a contestant search, so it hardly makes me unique. I was dressed fancy-ish on my way to that party... Not too fancy, but at least business casual-plus (and not too overtly red/white/blue-- it was a red dress, blue necklace and white sandals-- but still noticeable). Hopefully I didn't come off as trying too hard? And... FWIW, I think I had some other interesting stories in my app that weren't asked about (once finished last in the Chicago Marathon, etc.) I don't know how much they look at the app once they have a taped interview in the can.But I guess I'm wondering if there is such a thing as too enthusiastic, too over-the-top, too (seemingly) "polished," trying too hard? And if I sound like I successfully toed the line. Or not.
Thanks again!
